SMASH Academy

Interested in SMASH?

SMASH Academy, our flagship program, is a three-year STEM- intensive residential college prep program that empowers students to deepen their talents and pursue STEM careers. Every summer, scholars are immersed in tuition-free studies at leading universities throughout the country. During the academic year, scholars participate in monthly programming.

They are coached by instructors of color that represent the future they can have. Because of their common background, students connect more deeply with instructors and gain true mentorship from these STEM professors and industry professionals. As they go through the program, scholars not only develop their skills and network – they also find their voice and build the confidence to become who they want to be.

University Partners

Our university partners are an integral part of the SMASH Academy program. The first SMASH Academy was founded at the University of California, Berkeley in 2004.

Since then, it expanded across California to Stanford University, UCLA and UC Davis.

In 2016, SMASH began its expansion across the country.

2016: Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia

2018: The Wharton School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan

2019: Our first state-wide initiative, SMASH Illinois, with university partners Illinois Institute of Technology and Southern Illinois University and foundation partner, CPASS Foundation. SMASH Illinois will serve studentsin Chicago, Carbondale, and East St. Louis Metro Areas in Illinois.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all the eligibility requirements listed below in order to be considered for SMASH (no exceptions).

Grade Level: Be in the 9th grade at the time of application.

Attend a public high school or private high school via scholarship.

Location: Reside in the United States within 50 miles of a SMASH site as determined by your zip code. Students applying to the IIT site must be an Illinois resident and reside within the Chicago, Carbondale, and East St. Louis Metro Areas. Check here to see if you are eligible.

Applicants to SMASH Morehouse must be male.

Target Applicants

The criteria below describes who we aim to serve, however, applicants do not need to fulfill any or all of the criteria to apply to SMASH.

First-generation college students: This means that neither one of your parents received a bachelor’s or 4-year degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university in the United States. If you have a sibling in college you are still first generation. If your parents took some courses, but did not complete a degree you are still considered first generation

From a low-income family: (e.g. qualifies for Free or Reduced Lunch program).

2019 Academy Dates

SMASH Berkeley: June 15 – July 20, 2019

SMASH UC Davis: June 22 – July 27, 2019

SMASH Illinois: July 6 – August 10, 2019

SMASH Morehouse: June 8 – July 13, 2019

SMASH Stanford: June 29 – August 3, 2019

SMASH UCLA: June 22 – July 27, 2019

SMASH Wayne State: July 6 – August 10, 2019

SMASH Wharton: June 29 – August 3, 2019

Application

We understand that all members of the SMASH community -scholars, families, staff, and other stakeholders- have ideas, expertise, and life experiences that enable each of us to make valuable contributions. Diverse representation by, but not limited to, people of color, women of all backgrounds, and people from our LGBTQ+ community is the rule at SMASH, not the exception.

Work for SMASH

The Programs Team at SMASH is seeking passionate educators, facilitators, mentors and high-energy professionals to join our instructional and residential teams at SMASH Academy. Check out our available positions here.